How to Pick a Great Outfitter (Part 2)

Men's Domain note: This guest article is from Kevin C. Paulson, who writes a blog on
Hunting Life. Be sure to check out his blog at Hunting Life

Outdoor Shows

Outdoor shows can be a great place to find outfitters to fill your needs. I have found some wonderful outfitters by cruising the aisles of the various outdoor shows that are out there. Before attending a show, I usually look at the exhibitor list, look the outfitter up on the web and try and get a list of references for that outfitter. I check the references and go with a plan in mind. I am always interested in talking to any outfitter I find at these shows because sometimes personality and attitude play into my decisions on who I choose. I am open to hearing what someone has to say. That being said, there are some caveats to seeking out an outfitter at the various shows that are out there. Some points to remember when talking with outfitters at an outdoor show are:

* Don¹t judge an outfitter just by the display of heads in his
   booth or his pictures. They may or may not be a good
   representation of what they have to offer.
* Always talk to the outfitter himself and not just the guide
   who is there at the show.
* Get a feel for the outfitter¹s favourite type of hunting and find
   out if it matches what you are looking for.
* Ask about the experience of his team and the scouting his
   team does pre-season.
* Ask for a list of references on the spot.
* If this outfitter is offering a show deal that you are
   interested in, and you want to get in on this deal, ask him
   for 7 days to check his references and have him put it all in
   writing.
* ALWAYS check his references!!!!!
* Ask questions, everything you can come up with! If the
   outfitter is busy, be willing to ask him to make an
   appointment to spend 20 to 30 minutes with you after the
   show or have him call you later in the evening.
* Remember that the outfitter wants to talk to as many people as possible so have your list of questions ready and
   don¹t waste his time if you are not interested in truly booking a hunt. Don¹t be a tire kicker, unless you are
   willing to purchase.
* Ask about success rates and opportunity rates for the game you are seeking.
* Ask if there are any trophy fees or hidden fees.
* Ask about trophy preparation and meat care.
* Ask about group rates and/or bringing a friend or cameraperson.
* Be very honest with him about your expectations and your physical limitations and demands for your hunt. Will he
   work with you or is the outfitter dismissive about your concerns?
* Ask about tipping his staff and what their expectations are for a successful and unsuccessful hunt.

Attitude

The difference between a successful hunt and an unsuccessful trip often boils down to attitude. Sometimes it is the attitude of the outfitter and the guides that makes or breaks a trip for a client but more often then not, it is the attitude of the client that makes or breaks a trip. Your attitude on every day of your trip can be the extra boost that you need to be successful. Whether you are sitting on a whitetail stand or running up the mountain chasing a bugling elk, it is your happy positive attitude that will help you get there. Remember, you are out there for the adventure, to be in the wild, for the thrill of the hunt. After several years of outfitting I can honestly state that those that came into camp with a positive, can do attitude, always left camp happy and relaxed whether they got game or not. These hunters took tons of pictures, had fun and learned about themselves and the animals they were pursuing. They made friends with the other hunters and the guides. If they were lucky and got a trophy, they smiled
even larger then they had all week.

My favourite trip into the wild was with an outfitter in Idaho. For that week we both had such a contagious attitude that we were going to run into the elk of our dreams; we pushed each other to the ends of the territory, covered over 100 miles on horses and on foot in the week. We never saw an elk in all 7 days but I never had more fun. During the week the temperature continued to drop and ultimately snow fell to a total of 27 inches. On the way off the mountain on the final night of the hunt, we were all yelling into the mountains, ³It just doesn¹t get any better!² and we truly meant it. It was the trip of a lifetime!!!

Tipping

Tipping is a choice that hunters make to pay for the extra service for that you receive from the guides that help to make your trip successful. Guides from reputable outfitters should be paid very well and should not have to rely upon tips to survive. Tips are an added bonus and certainly are appreciated by the guides, packers and the cooks. A general rule of thumb is that 5- 15 percent of the hunt price is a more then fair rule for hunting with the 15 percent going for truly exceptional service that was above and beyond in every way possible.

Questions to ask the outfitters you are considering.

* What types of hunts do you offer?
* How experienced are the guides?
* How many hunters per guide?
* Will my group be split up?
* Could I be added to another group?
* What is the entire cost of the trip including all license fees, access fees and additional trophy fees?
* What deposit is required?
* What is the cancellation policy?
* Can you provide me with a copy of your contract?
* What methods of payment do you accept?
* Do you provide any references or referrals from other clients?
* May I call them? (If the answer is no here, hang up the phone and do not book a trip with this outfitter)
* Do you furnish transportation from the airport, or must I?
* What type of transportation is provided?
* How far is the nearest airport?
* What airlines service that airport?
* Will I be need to rent a car?
* Where will I be staying? Lodge, hotel, tent, etc...
* How many guests to a room or tent?
* Can my group share a room or tent?
* What is supplied? Food, sleeping bag, linens, electricity, etc...
* What meals, if any, are provided?
* What is the quality of the food? Sandwiches and chips or grilled steak and steamed veggies?
* How do you handle clients with special dietary needs?
* Is alcohol allowed?
* Are the guides and staff allowed to drink?
* How much travel is involved from the lodge to the hunting area?
* How has the hunting been lately?
* What game have you been seeing?
* What was your largest animal taken last year during archery and rifle season?
* Have they been active?
* When is the peak of the rut for your area?
* What type of weapons can be used?
* How large of an area will I be hunting?
* What are your success statistics for the type of hunt I am interested in booking?
* Who cares for the game?
* Who will be responsible for butchering?
* Is there a local taxidermist I can call or do I need to make arrangements to bring the game home?
* Who obtains the license?
* Will you be providing me a copy of the game and fish regulations
* Can it be purchased locally?
* How much are the tags and license fees?
* Can ammunition be purchased locally?
* Will I be able to site in my weapon?
* What physical condition must I be in?
* Is this a fully guided hunt?
* What kind of weather must I prepare for?
* What kind of camo is best for your area?
* Do your guides all carry maps and gps units?
* Do you have a satellite phone in each camp?
* Will I have access to the phone if need be for a fee?
* What are your safety regulations?
* Can you provide me a list of your gear recommendations?
* How much gear am I allowed to bring into camp?

This is an ever growing list of questions, please do not hesitate to ask any questions that you feel are necessary to know the answers to assist you in making the right decision in choosing your outfitter.

Questions to ask references about the outfitter you are considering.

* Would you hunt with this outfitter again? (If the following
   question is no, do not book with this outfitter)
* What was your hunting trip like with this outfitter?
* Did you get an opportunity for a shot at game?
* If you were picked up at an airport, how was the service?
   Was the outfitter on time?
* Were you allowed to site in your rifle before the hunt? Did
   the outfitter have an archery target in camp for daily
   practice?
* Were the accommodations clean and organized or was the
   camp run smoothly and efficiently?
* Was the outfitter prepared to put you on game the first
   morning of your hunt? Did they know the area and where
   the game was?
* Was the outfitter prompt in picking you up from a hunting
   site at the end of a morning or evening?
* What was the quality of the food? Was there enough to go
   around?
* Did you have access to showers and clean toilets?
* What were game populations like?
* What was trophy quality like and did you see quality animals?
* Did trophy quality match your expectations?
* How would you rate the guide's experience and knowledge of the land you hunted?
* How would you rate the guide's hunting skills?
* Did the outfitter run a safe operation and did you feel safe? Was there first aid kits readily available? Was there a
   safety plan in place?
* Did you feel this outfitter ran a law abiding operation? Were all game laws followed?
* What was the success rate while you were in camp?
* If you were the outfitter what one improvement would you make?, what would it be?
* Who specifically was your guide and cook? How long had they been working for the outfitter?
* Do you know the name of another hunter in camp I might call?

Back to Part 1